Salvation Army still faces a struggle trying to provide for people in need

The Salvation Army did get some response to its plea.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — “Some people have to make choices ... buy food or medicine ... pay the electric bill or the rent,” said Jean Malandro, director of social services of the Mahoning County Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army can help with food assistance but the organization that helps people needs help from the community at large.

In late July, the organization issued a press release noting it faced “overwhelming requests for assistance from local residents.”

“We’re grateful for what we did receive,” Malandro said, but the response was not enough to put products on the shelves of its food pantry.

Donations of nonperishable food items and other items such as paper, hygiene and cleaning products, which can’t be bought with food stamps, still are needed, Malandro said. Monetary donations help the Salvation Army buy perishable items such as meat, produce, milk and cheese, which it distributes.

To make a donation, call the Salvation Army administrative office at (330) 270-5999.

Providing meals

The Salvation Army operates its soup kitchen for lunch from the 15th to the 31st of the month. “In July, we served 5,682 meals and gave out some 1,000 bags of food,” Malandro said.

But, she noted, with St. Vincent de Paul’s soup kitchen closed because its building is undergoing repairs, the Salvation Army is anticipating more people at its meal program.

Helping to fill a part of the gap is the Kingdom Meal Ministry, which began in May 2006. It offers a weekend meal for those who need it. It’s at 5 p.m. Sundays at the Salvation Army, 1501 Glenwood Ave.

Pastor Rusty Wills of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Poland initiated the effort. The meal ministry offers food and fellowship on a day that the Salvation Army and other assistance agencies usually don’t. Kingdom Meal Ministry is one of just a few weekend meal programs for the needy. This project involves area churches who prepare and serve the meals.

“The Sunday meal offers one where we didn’t,” Malandro said. “We would love to do more but don’t have the resources,” she said.

The Salvation Army offers two types of assistance: grocery bags of food that are distributed and food appointments. “Those can be made once every three months and you get enough food to feed a family for three meals for three days,” Malandro said.

The Salvation Army offers a bread and dessert table from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, where people can get bread and bakery items.

Though the Salvation Army did receive some 15,000 pounds of food in May when the U.S. Postal Service had its food drive, it has been used.

Major James E. Foley, Mahoning County Area services coordinator, said there is concern about having enough funds to continue to offer services through the rest of the summer. The Salvation Army provides assistance and programs to some 200,000 people annually. The Salvation Army noted that low-income families are struggling to meet the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.